Local Elections Are How Black Voters Can 'Shake Up The Political Process'

The death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, nearly a month ago sparked much more than outrage over a young man's death at the hands of a police officer. It began a re-examination of class disparity in America and became a jumping-off point for countless conversations about institutional racism.

Since, much discussion has centered on the actual effects of the Ferguson riots. Princeton University's chair of African American Studies, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., joined a HuffPost Live conversation Tuesday to talk about Ferguson's effects on black voting in this country and how focusing on local elections could make a difference for African Americans everywhere.

"Mayors are becoming more important in the distribution of resources and benefits in terms of impacting the everyday lives of black folks," Glaude Jr. told host Marc Lamont Hill. "Why can't we begin to put the emphasis on local, county and state congressional elections as the source of our organizing efforts?"

Ifeoma Ike, the co-creator and campaign director of Black and Brown People Vote, agreed with Glaude, saying black voters need to know how local officials can make a difference in their everyday lives.

"I do think that voter education is very important. I do disagree with earlier notions that while not as sexy as a national election, local elections actually impact the day-to-day lives of black and brown people in a much larger aspect than many national elections. Until we start explaining to people, 'This is what a mayor does. Your city council appoints the police chief. Your school board determines whether your kid is going to juvie or gifted and talented' -- those are the things that we need to star explaining to folks so that they know why they're showing up."

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Missouri state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D) walks during a rally for justice for Michael Brown, and the people of Ferguson, Missouri on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House on Thursday. Brown's shooting by a white police officer sparked more than a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

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Demonstrators delivered over 900,000 petitions to urge Attorney General Eric Holder to prosecute the police officer who shot and killed Mike Brown, an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

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A sign is held during a rally for justice for Michael Brown, and the people of Ferguson, Missouri on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Missouri State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D) speaks during a rally for justice for Michael Brown, and the people of Ferguson, Missouri on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House on Thursday. Brown's shooting by a white police officer sparked more than a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

Alex Wong via Getty Images

Demonstrators shout slogans as they gather in front of the White House to deliver nearly 950,000 signatures August 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. The demonstrators called on the Justice Department to fully investigate, prosecute, and fire all police officers involved in the fatal shooting of unarmed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

Alex Wong via Getty Images

Demonstrators in front of the White House on Thursday called on the Justice Department to fully investigate, prosecute, and fire all police officers involved in the fatal shooting of unarmed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

Alex Wong via Getty Images

Roses and a poster are seen on top of nearly 950,000 signatures that are delivered to the White House August 28, 2014 on Thursday. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Protesters Deliver Over 900,000 Petitions To The White House Demanding Justice For Mike Brown

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boxes of signed petitions sit before a rally for justice for Michael Brown, and the people of Ferguson, Missouri., on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House on Thursday. The group had boxes of signed petitions on hand that were brought as they walked in the street. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)